Artis Gilmore (C)

[Berlin]

Name: Artis Gilmore
Position: C
Height: 7'2"
Weight: 245 lbs
DOB: 9/21/1995

www.abcalegends.com/players/player329.htm

Pros: At only 21 years old (22 by the time the regular season of 2017 rolls around), Artis Gilmore is already talented enough to start for over half the teams in the league. At 7'2", Gilmore has the size and strength to manhandle nearly all the other centers in the league, and he combines his physical gifts with an already fairly defined game both offensively and defensively. Gilmore has the polish that most college players dream of, and he has the confidence to back it up.

Cons: You hate to say none here, but there just isn't much to go on. He's never going to be a premier passing big man, but he makes up for it with all his other talents (did I mention that he is 7'2" and can knock down his free throws?); Gilmore's only current weakness is that he isn't Gilmore in two years, which will be damn near unstoppable.

Overall: Gilmore has the talent right now of a Korac with the potential to be so much more than that. To say that he could make a Hayes-like impact next season isn't just possible, but likely at this point. In a draft of talented big men, Gilmore is easily the best of the class...barring an announcement from Mr. Alcinder, that is.


 (Revision - Gilmore apparently started slacking off at practice in Jacksonville, because scouts no longer have him with the earth-shattering ceiling that was initially credited to him. While he still has tons of potential, he no longer is the runaway #1 pick in this year's draft.)

Projection: #1-3

[Dave]

Name: Artis Gilmore
Position: Center
Height: 7'2"
Weight: 245
DOB: 9/21/95

Pros: Wow, rookies are looking better and better earlier every season. Gilmore has a true NBA body a great combination of height and weight to dominate in the post against almost every center in the league as a rookie. He will be a shot altering force right out of the gate and help a team with an immediate turnaround. He has the potential to be the best bigman in league history for a long time. He takes everything Wilt does and has the free throw game and jump shot to be lethal in any kind of offense.

Cons: The only "CON" that I see is the same thing that could be said for most bigmen and that's his passing game. His handles aren't the greatest and could be prone to turnovers his first few seasons.

Overall: This guy will be the new Wilt in 3 seasons and somebody will be very happy with the fact they sucked this season to get him. It doesn't seem like KAJ is declaring this season so it leaves the door open for Gilmore to be the top pick in this draft no matter who gets the top pick.

Projection: #1

[Detroit]

Pros: An impressive athlete, Gilmore is capable of battling the behemoths in the paint strength-wise while also skying over them for rebounds.  His conditioning left everyone in awe seeing as how a 7'2" center stayed in almost the entire game and never broke out a sweat.  In terms of skill, Gilmore has everything you want out of a center.  Possessing a deft touch, he'll step in as a team's #1 inside option from the get-go.  No one will ever say Gilmore doesn't hustle.  Constantly battling for rebounds, he uses the aforementioned superior athleticism to scoop up rebounds outside his area code.  However, despite all these strengths, the biggest intrigue surrounding Gilmore will be his post defense (and shot blocking).  Whoever drafts him will get a guy who'll anchor a defense for the next decade.

Cons: Doesn't have much of a feel for the game from the perimeter and running the offense from the mid-post with him as the initiator will not work.  Even with his great athleticism, he doesn't move his feet well enough to switch onto perimeter players and his hedging will need considerable work.  The only other complaint may be his free throw shooting down the road.  Considering he won't be a dominant scorer, it'll be important that he hits a reasonable 70-75% of his free throws to maximize his offensive output.

Projection: 1-3